Running down the past: 43-year-old record is in the crosshairs

Running for the record - I was the Cape track coach in 1982. On a Friday night in May at the Dover Relays, the Cape 4-by-800 relay team of James “Bip” Johnson, Hank Stack, Darren Purcell and Danny Harmon stepped onto the track against elite competition. Danny blew up the anchor leg as Cape won in 7:59.60, a school record. The record has stood for 43 years. Darren, of Lloyd’s Market in Lewes, asked me just last week, “Are there runners at Cape who can break our record? If so, I’d like to be there when it happens. You know records are made to be broken.” I told Darren, “I’d like to be there when it doesn’t happen. I like being part of that record.” But I think under the right conditions and focus and four fresh runners, the record is going down like vinyl to digital. James, Hank and Darren are alive and well. Danny was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2002. Danny was among the most electric and prolific runners in Cape history. The foursome of Andrew Radka, Jamar Beasley, Jason Baker and Cardin Benjamin will take a few runs at the record this spring.  

Life’s a pitch - There are currently 30 combined graduates of Cape’s boys’ and girls’ lacrosse programs that are playing on collegiate teams at some level. Each player writes their own story; some see the field right away, others bide their time. But it is more impressive than a signing ceremony to actually show up and make a team. Below is a list. Sorry if I missed anyone.  Cape men playing college lacrosse:  Mikey Frederick, Mercer; Hank D’Ambrogi, Delaware; Joe Coveleski, Florida Tech; Luke Burton, Flagler; Anderson Smith, St. Leo;  Mike Gunther, St. Leo; Hunter Jones, Rollins; Jack Schell, Syracuse; Mack Leonhartt, Tufts; Cody Trivits, Washington College; Brexton Carter, McDaniel; CJ Fritchman, Salisbury; Finn Forcucci, McDaniel; Nick Arnold, Wingate; Evan Ehrhardt, Del Tech; and Blake Gipko, Elizabethtown. Cape women playing college lacrosse: Molly Mendes, Rollins; Carrie Clausius, Tampa; Hannah Able, Catawba; Ella Rishko, Delaware; Lulu Rishko, Delaware; Anna Sullivan, Stetson; Lexi Nowakowski, Vanderbilt; Makaylah Lindsey, Winthrop; Anna Lopez, William & Mary; Montana Jones, West Chester; Olivia Burkentine, West Chester; Sarah Narr, Massachusetts Maritime; Sawyer Walker, Howard; and Grace Totten, St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Birdman birthday - Vincent Glover, Cape Class of ’82, turned 62 March 18. I was his high school track coach. Vincent was a springy jumper, like a human pogo stick. The first time down the triple jump runway he was all over the place, yet he jumped 44 feet. He would later jump 48-6 at the Penn Relays for a state record that stood 20 years. And, he took off a foot behind the board wearing three pairs of socks.  He’s a National Guard guy. His son Vincent jumped for Seaford. Also a great athlete and a National Guard guy. Pogo is now a pop pop. I'm the guy who has coached more pop pops than a few. Some exaggerate their past, and others, like Vincent, barely talk about it. Ironically, Birdman had a fear of flying, which is why he never high jumped. 

Capital punishment - March Madness basketball games are great TV, but they’re unlikely to inspire me to order a Capital One credit card or purchase a Liberty Insurance bundled policy. The selection of products to push and the orchestration of the message, along with those chosen to deliver the message, clobber us over the head with what advertisers think about consumers of basketball. Not only do they think we are gullible and easily influenced by silly repetitions delivered by millionaire celebrities, but they also overplay to our strong hand which holds the remote.

Snippets - Sunday morning is a brunch to jump weight classes and reflect on the 2025 wrestling season. Wrestling coach Chris Mattioni just completed his 30th year, and I go back in history 50 years with five coaches, beginning with Dick Lynam in 1975-76. Like a retired dipper from the ice cream store, I’m no longer in the scoop business, but I read on the Delmarva Sports Network site that Pat “Two Factories” Woods had Eurostepped away from his position as head coach of girls’ basketball at Cape. Cape returns first-team all-state player Amalia Fruchtman and will welcome Kha’Nihya Johnson from Fred Thomas, the best middle school baller in the state. I know who Cape should hire – I have corrected vision – but I’m not offering any unsolicited advice. Go on now, git!